Date: 2355

Captain of the USS Stargazer, Picard faced an unidentified hostile vessel near the Maxia system, later revealed to be a Ferengi Marauder. The enemy ship attacked without warning and appeared technologically superior. With his ship damaged and escape impossible, Picard employed an untested maneuver. By jumping to warp for a split second and reappearing at a new position, the Stargazer fired before the Ferengi could react. The tactic destroyed the Marauder and saved the ship, but at the cost of Ferengi lives and lasting political consequences. The incident haunted Picard. Though cleared by Starfleet, the battle became a defining moral weight in his command style and helped establish the Ferengi as a serious power in the Alpha Quadrant. The so-called Picard Maneuver entered Starfleet legend, born in desperation at Maxia.